A Clare farmer is calling for the cut on the excise duty for petrol and diesel to be maintained for the duration of 2023.
It comes as Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan has signaled that the cost-of-living measure may be reversed in the coming weeks.
A host of measures were introduced last year in an attempt to counteract the rising level of inflation – among those was a cut to the excise duty paid on petrol, diesel and home heating oil.
The levy was reduced by 21c per litre of petrol, 16c per litre of diesel and 5.4c per litre of agricultural diesel.
This reduction is due to run out at the end of February, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar saying that not all measures can be retained beyond this point.
However, the Fine Gael leader has promised there won’t be a ‘cliff-edge’ when cost-saving measures are ended.
The Clare Chair of the ICMSA believes the reduction in fuel costs needs to be maintained for the rest of the year.
O’Callaghans Mills farmer, Martin McMahon, is warning that if the excise duty returns to its full level, it will increase costs for producers and therefore result in food prices rising for consumers.
An Ennis filling station manager says prices at the pump could climb back up to the €2 mark if the excise cut is reversed.
Based on current prices, petrol woud rise to €1.82 a litre and diesel would jump to €1.92 a litre.
Kieran Hogan, Manager of O’Sullivan Hansbury Garage on the Kilrush Road, says garages don’t have the profit margins to absorb a restoration of excise duty.
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